Chilham Circular
Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles) Toughness: 5 out of 10
09:10 Ramsgate train from Charing Cross arriving Chilham at 10:44; or
09:37 Folkestone Central train from St Pancras International, changing at Ashford International (dep 10:32) on to the above train from Charing Cross.
Return trains are at xx:48, changing at Ashford International for St Pancras. If you can decide in advance which return train to get, the cheapest fare is to buy separate Advance tickets for the outward and return journeys. With a rail card, the total round trip cost is £18 from St Pancras and £14.10 from Charing Cross.
The walk climbs through downland, fields and woods in the morning, with panoramic views from a downland escarpment after lunch, before descending to pass two historic houses.
The only possible lunch pub for this walk is the award-winning gourmet pub The Compasses Inn (01227 700300) in Sole Street, four miles from the start. Past reports suggest that portions may be on the small side and service may be slow. It is essential to book in advance, not just on the day. This could be a good day to take a packed lunch; picnic spots are suggested in the walk directions.
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
T=swc.138
Sunday, 30 September 2018
Sunday walk: Hertfordshire countryside and G B Shaw's home
Welwyn Circular
Length: 17.7km (11 miles) Toughness: 2 out of 10
10:02 Welwyn North train from Kings Cross arriving Welwyn Garden City at 10:30.
There is also a stopping service from Moorgate at 09:57, calling at numerous stations in north London and arriving at Welwyn Garden City at 10:48.
Return trains fast to Kings Cross are at xx:53, with additional stopping services to Morrgate at xx:28 and xx:58.
The route traverses some attractive Hertfordshire countryside, including the landscaped parkland of two large country houses. Just before or after lunch you could visit Shaw’s Corner, the former home of George Bernard Shaw, now owned by the National Trust, before it closes for the winter.
The recommended lunch pub for this walk is The Brocket Arms (01438 820250) in Ayot St Lawrence, 11km from the start. Ring ahead to reserve a table. For an earlier lunch stop you would need to divert to Wheathampstead (see directions).
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
T=swc.69
Length: 17.7km (11 miles) Toughness: 2 out of 10
10:02 Welwyn North train from Kings Cross arriving Welwyn Garden City at 10:30.
There is also a stopping service from Moorgate at 09:57, calling at numerous stations in north London and arriving at Welwyn Garden City at 10:48.
Return trains fast to Kings Cross are at xx:53, with additional stopping services to Morrgate at xx:28 and xx:58.
The route traverses some attractive Hertfordshire countryside, including the landscaped parkland of two large country houses. Just before or after lunch you could visit Shaw’s Corner, the former home of George Bernard Shaw, now owned by the National Trust, before it closes for the winter.
The recommended lunch pub for this walk is The Brocket Arms (01438 820250) in Ayot St Lawrence, 11km from the start. Ring ahead to reserve a table. For an earlier lunch stop you would need to divert to Wheathampstead (see directions).
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
T=swc.69
Saturday, 29 September 2018
Saturday Walk – Fleet Circular [New] Note! earlier train time
New Walk – Fleet Circular
Length: 19¼ km (12.0 miles). Toughness: 4/10
10:04 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:13), changing at Woking (arr 10:35, dep 10:53) for the Basingstoke train, arriving Fleet at 11:11.
Trains back from Fleet are half-hourly at xx:10 & xx:40. You might have to change at Woking.
Apologies for the very late change to an earlier train, but the National Rail site has only just been updated to show that the fast Poole trains aren't stopping at Fleet on Saturday. There are engineering works beyond Southampton but I'm not impressed that it's taken South Western Railway so long to show the amended timetable.
This new walk starts along the perimeter path around the large pond which you see as the train pulls in to Fleet station, continues through MOD land and a new country park, and returns along the tree-lined Basingstoke Canal. You may encounter some challenges with the military training areas (large areas which were previously accessible have been fenced off); the route skirts around the known problem areas but please read the cautionary notes in the walk's Introduction.
As navigation across large areas with no waymarking is relatively challenging and few people like to rely on the printed directions these days, I've made a GPX track of the route available here (right-click and Save As...). Those of you following the line on a device might in fact find a few others taking a different route in two or three places, as some more interesting (but tricky) alternatives are set out in the printed version. Any feedback on these and other aspects of the directions would be appreciated, as always.
You'll also need to scan the walk notes for details of the four lunchtime pub options. They're a mixed bag so check them out and decide which one you fancy; I've started the walk fairly late so you should pass all four at times when they're serving food.
You can cut out the final 5½ km by taking Bus 10 from outside the Fox & Hounds to Fleet station. These are hourly at xx:09 to 16:09, then 17:24 & 18:47 (last). T=swc.318
Length: 19¼ km (12.0 miles). Toughness: 4/10
10:04 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:13), changing at Woking (arr 10:35, dep 10:53) for the Basingstoke train, arriving Fleet at 11:11.
Trains back from Fleet are half-hourly at xx:10 & xx:40. You might have to change at Woking.
Apologies for the very late change to an earlier train, but the National Rail site has only just been updated to show that the fast Poole trains aren't stopping at Fleet on Saturday. There are engineering works beyond Southampton but I'm not impressed that it's taken South Western Railway so long to show the amended timetable.
This new walk starts along the perimeter path around the large pond which you see as the train pulls in to Fleet station, continues through MOD land and a new country park, and returns along the tree-lined Basingstoke Canal. You may encounter some challenges with the military training areas (large areas which were previously accessible have been fenced off); the route skirts around the known problem areas but please read the cautionary notes in the walk's Introduction.
As navigation across large areas with no waymarking is relatively challenging and few people like to rely on the printed directions these days, I've made a GPX track of the route available here (right-click and Save As...). Those of you following the line on a device might in fact find a few others taking a different route in two or three places, as some more interesting (but tricky) alternatives are set out in the printed version. Any feedback on these and other aspects of the directions would be appreciated, as always.
You'll also need to scan the walk notes for details of the four lunchtime pub options. They're a mixed bag so check them out and decide which one you fancy; I've started the walk fairly late so you should pass all four at times when they're serving food.
You can cut out the final 5½ km by taking Bus 10 from outside the Fox & Hounds to Fleet station. These are hourly at xx:09 to 16:09, then 17:24 & 18:47 (last). T=swc.318
Saturday walk - Balcombe Circular via Ardingly Reservoir (Summer walk) - The Weald before it gets muddy
Length: 19.3km (12 miles) T=3.22
Toughness: 7 out of 10 - some hills
9.20 Thameslink train from St Pancras or 9.35 London Bridge (9.24 Farringdon, 9.49 East Croydon) to Balcombe, arriving 10.16.
** Missed the train option: see end of post.
Buy a day return to Balcombe. If a cheaper "Thameslink only" ticket is offered you can buy it, providing you don't plan to make any connections from/to any other services on the outward or return journey.
For walk directions click here (you only need pages 1-3 and 7-12). For GPX click here.
This walk shares the same first mile or so as the Book 1 Balcombe Circular posted four weeks ago, but otherwise is completely different, looping back around the south of Balcombe to make a brief pass of the Ardingly Reservoir, then climbing up to the village of Ardingly for lunch at the Ardingly Inn.
After lunch you are in classic Wealden territory - hills, valleys, woods, views. This is a "summer walk" because this tends to get very muddy and soggy in winter: but that will not be a problem at this time of year when the soil is still hard.
Tea is mid afternoon at Wakehurst Place. This National Trust property is crossed by a right of way, which the walk route uses, but the cafe is about 100 metres to one side of this. This is usually not a problem but try not to be too obvious about it, since the NT are naturally a bit wary about people using this as a way to visit the property without paying. If challenged, point out very politely that you only want to provide the cafe with some extra revenue and be on your way (or flash your NT card if you are a member). If you want to actually visit the gardens, please enter by the official entrance. The cafe closes at 5.30pm
Otherwise in Balcombe there is the Half Moon Inn which does hot drinks and (sometimes) cakes.
Trains back from Balcombe are at 22 and 52 past. The prettier (and not much longer) back way to the station is recommended over the prosaic shortcut down the main road.
** Missed the train option: I shouldn't encourage slugabeds, but if you miss the specified train and catch the one half an hour later, you could do the first section of the Winter walk, which is 1.4 miles shorter, to catch up with the group: see page 3 of the walk directions.
Toughness: 7 out of 10 - some hills
9.20 Thameslink train from St Pancras or 9.35 London Bridge (9.24 Farringdon, 9.49 East Croydon) to Balcombe, arriving 10.16.
** Missed the train option: see end of post.
Buy a day return to Balcombe. If a cheaper "Thameslink only" ticket is offered you can buy it, providing you don't plan to make any connections from/to any other services on the outward or return journey.
For walk directions click here (you only need pages 1-3 and 7-12). For GPX click here.
This walk shares the same first mile or so as the Book 1 Balcombe Circular posted four weeks ago, but otherwise is completely different, looping back around the south of Balcombe to make a brief pass of the Ardingly Reservoir, then climbing up to the village of Ardingly for lunch at the Ardingly Inn.
After lunch you are in classic Wealden territory - hills, valleys, woods, views. This is a "summer walk" because this tends to get very muddy and soggy in winter: but that will not be a problem at this time of year when the soil is still hard.
Tea is mid afternoon at Wakehurst Place. This National Trust property is crossed by a right of way, which the walk route uses, but the cafe is about 100 metres to one side of this. This is usually not a problem but try not to be too obvious about it, since the NT are naturally a bit wary about people using this as a way to visit the property without paying. If challenged, point out very politely that you only want to provide the cafe with some extra revenue and be on your way (or flash your NT card if you are a member). If you want to actually visit the gardens, please enter by the official entrance. The cafe closes at 5.30pm
Otherwise in Balcombe there is the Half Moon Inn which does hot drinks and (sometimes) cakes.
Trains back from Balcombe are at 22 and 52 past. The prettier (and not much longer) back way to the station is recommended over the prosaic shortcut down the main road.
** Missed the train option: I shouldn't encourage slugabeds, but if you miss the specified train and catch the one half an hour later, you could do the first section of the Winter walk, which is 1.4 miles shorter, to catch up with the group: see page 3 of the walk directions.
Saturday Walk - Maiden Castle Iron Age Hillfort, Barrows, Sinkholes and Neolithic Dorset: Dorchester Circular or to Portesham
Dorchester
(South) Circular
Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi) [shorter or longer
walk possible, see pdf or webpage]
Ascent/Descent:
565m; Net Walking Time: 5 ¾ hours
Toughness: 7/10
or
Dorchester (South) to Portesham
Length: 25.5 km (15.9 mi) [shorter walk
possible, see pdf or webpage]
Ascent/Descent:
823/827m; Net Walking Time: 6 ½ hours
Toughness: 9/10
Take
the 08.23 Weymouth train from Waterloo (08.32 Clapham, 08. 56 Woking), arrives Dorchester South 11.04.
Return trains from
Dorchester
are on xx.13 and xx.33 to 19.33, then 20.22 and 21.22, journey time from 152 mins. The trains depart from Weymouth 10-13 earlier.
The bus from Portesham
to Weymouth
runs 15.17, 17.17, 19.09. There is also the 20.50 but this will miss the last train
to London.
Buy a Dorchester
Return for
the Circular Walk, or a Weymouth Return for
the Portesham Ending.
Strenous
but rewarding expedition from the county town of Dorset through the
pre-historic landscape of the Dorset
Downs with splendid views out to the Jurassic Coast from the South Dorset
Ridgeway.
Maumbury Rings, an ancient British
henge earthwork converted by the Romans for use as an amphitheatre (the largest
of its kind in Britain), is
walked through early on. Then Maiden
Castle, the largest –
and one of the most complex – Iron Age hill fort in Europe, with its up to four banks and three ditches and
remains of a Romano-Celtic temple, is explored in detail. Settled from
4000 BC, it was one of the most powerful settlements in pre-Roman Britain,
the Durotriges were the last tribe to have lived there.
From
there the route follows the narrow South
Winterbourne Valley to lunch in Martinstown before a steady ascent up to
the heathery Black Down,
crowned by the 22m-high Hardy Monument
(to Sir Thomas Hardy the Admiral, not
the writer), with some stunning views to the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of
Portland. Continue with views out to sea atop Bronkham Hill, with an
interesting group of barrows and shakeholes on its ridge. On the descent
from it you pass more barrows, en route back to Dorchester.
A
long extension adds more pre-historic highlights – the Valley
of (Sarsen) Stones, one of the finest examples of a boulder ‘train’ in
Britain, several impressive barrows and two stone circles – and leads through
the very pretty Bride Valley.
Lunch: The Brewer’s Arms in Martinstown (8.7 km/5.4 mi, food to
14.15).
Tea: The
China Mermaid Retro Café in the Hardy Monument Car Park (to 16.00);
plus plenty of options in Dorchester, a pub and a café in Portesham (while waiting for the bus) and lots in Weymouth. See the pdf for
details.
For
summary, map, height
profile, photos, walk directions and
gpx/kml files click here.
T=swc.275
Wednesday, 26 September 2018
Wednesday Walk - Henley to Pangbourne
Length:
19.6 km (12.2 mi)
Ascent/Descent:
250/242 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness:
4 out of 10
Take
the 10.12 Reading train from Paddington (Ealing B’way 10.20),
change at Twyford (11.00/11.08) arriving Henley-on-Thames at 11.20
Return
trains: xx.16
and xx.48 (change at Reading)
Buy a Pangbourne Return.
A
lovely walk, starting and finishing by the Thames, and passing through many
woods and pubs en route.
The
walk starts beside the Thames in Henley, goes down one of Henley's most ancient
streets, out into a broad valley, to the church and first pub at Rotherfield
Greys. It then goes to the church at Rotherfield Peppard, and thereafter it is fields,
beech woods and small villages.
This
walk does not suffer from a shortage of refreshment stops and includes three
pubs ideally located for the lunch stop, plus others. The walk also includes an
alpaca farm just outside Whitchurch where you can watch hundreds of alpacas
grazing in the fields, towards the end of the walk.
The
walk then carries on to the Whitchurch parish church beside the Thames, to the
toll bridge over the Thames, and finally into Pangbourne for a last refreshment
stop.
Lunch: The Red Lion
(6.9 km/4.3 mi, food to 15.00) in
Peppard Common, The Unicorn (7.9
km/4.9 mi, food to 15.00) in Kingwood, The Reformation (10.5 km/6.5 mi, food
to 14.30 ) in Gallowstree Common/Kidmore End.
Tea: see the webpage.
For
walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files
click here.
T=1.51
Monday, 24 September 2018
Monday Night Special Harvest Moon Walk to Leigh-on-Sea
Distance: 5.6
miles or 8.9 km for those more metrically minded T=SWC.268
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
Train: 17:31 Shoeburyness train from London Fenchurch St. Station, arriving Benfleet at 18:12 – buy a day return to Leigh-on-Sea
Return: Trains back from Leigh-on-Sea are at: 20:33; 21:03; 21:33; 22:03; 22:12; 22:42 and 23:03
Another “transitional shoulder-season” evening stroll, but rather than a sunset, this evening the hope is to watch a Harvest Moon rise near where the Thames meets the sea on the way to Leigh-on-Sea…You may wonder why the walk is on Monday when the full moon is on Tuesday --- the reason being that the full moon is technically during the wee hours of Tuesday morning, meaning that it will rise almost 20 minutes earlier on Monday than Tuesday…..so better for an evening walk. It should take about 2 hours to walk to Leigh-on-Sea – so time to have a meal in one if its many pubs before heading back to London. More information about the route can be found here.
Ps: You may want to bring a head torch…but, hopefully, the moon will provide enough light on a straight forward route largely across open terrain…
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
Train: 17:31 Shoeburyness train from London Fenchurch St. Station, arriving Benfleet at 18:12 – buy a day return to Leigh-on-Sea
Return: Trains back from Leigh-on-Sea are at: 20:33; 21:03; 21:33; 22:03; 22:12; 22:42 and 23:03
Another “transitional shoulder-season” evening stroll, but rather than a sunset, this evening the hope is to watch a Harvest Moon rise near where the Thames meets the sea on the way to Leigh-on-Sea…You may wonder why the walk is on Monday when the full moon is on Tuesday --- the reason being that the full moon is technically during the wee hours of Tuesday morning, meaning that it will rise almost 20 minutes earlier on Monday than Tuesday…..so better for an evening walk. It should take about 2 hours to walk to Leigh-on-Sea – so time to have a meal in one if its many pubs before heading back to London. More information about the route can be found here.
Ps: You may want to bring a head torch…but, hopefully, the moon will provide enough light on a straight forward route largely across open terrain…
Sunday, 23 September 2018
Sunday walk: Thame Circular
SWC Walk 190
Full walk 13ml 21.0 km 3/10
Short walk 9.5 ml 15.25 km 1/10
An easy scenic ramble through the Thame valley on the Ox/Bucks border, partly following the Oxfordshire Way and later the waymarked Thame Valley Walk. The full walk heads north to lunch in Worminghall or Ickford. The shorter version cuts out these villages and descends to the Thame River which is followed – partly along a dismantled railway line – to a lunch pub in Shabbington. There is a short bus ride (frequent service) at the start and finish of the walk.
Travel: Get the 10:04 Oxford train from Marylebone, arriving Haddenham and Thame Parkway 10:39
Then catch a 280 bus to Thame (Oxford direction) from outside the station. There's one at 10:45 arriving about 10:50 (buses are two an hour, later three an hour – a return costs about £4)
Trains return at xx:13 and xx:38 with a slower one at xx:40. Get a return to Haddenham and Thame Parkway.
Lunch: For the full walk the recommended stop is The Clifden Arms, Worminghall (01844 338 429), then, later, The Rising Sun, Ickford (01844 339 238).
On the shorter walk you have The Old Fisherman, Shabbington, (01844 201 247)
Tea: Thame has numerous pubs - see notes. Treacles Tea Rooms 12 High Street, 01844 260 840) is open till 17:00. Rumseys Chocolaterie is open till 17.30.
Full walk 13ml 21.0 km 3/10
Short walk 9.5 ml 15.25 km 1/10
An easy scenic ramble through the Thame valley on the Ox/Bucks border, partly following the Oxfordshire Way and later the waymarked Thame Valley Walk. The full walk heads north to lunch in Worminghall or Ickford. The shorter version cuts out these villages and descends to the Thame River which is followed – partly along a dismantled railway line – to a lunch pub in Shabbington. There is a short bus ride (frequent service) at the start and finish of the walk.
Travel: Get the 10:04 Oxford train from Marylebone, arriving Haddenham and Thame Parkway 10:39
Then catch a 280 bus to Thame (Oxford direction) from outside the station. There's one at 10:45 arriving about 10:50 (buses are two an hour, later three an hour – a return costs about £4)
Trains return at xx:13 and xx:38 with a slower one at xx:40. Get a return to Haddenham and Thame Parkway.
Lunch: For the full walk the recommended stop is The Clifden Arms, Worminghall (01844 338 429), then, later, The Rising Sun, Ickford (01844 339 238).
On the shorter walk you have The Old Fisherman, Shabbington, (01844 201 247)
Tea: Thame has numerous pubs - see notes. Treacles Tea Rooms 12 High Street, 01844 260 840) is open till 17:00. Rumseys Chocolaterie is open till 17.30.
Directions here
T=swc.190
Sunday Walk: Hassocks to Lewes:
Hassocks to Lewes: Book 1, walk 29
18 km 11.2 ml
Difficulty 5/10
Up the hill to Jack and Jill
Then tumble down to Plumpton town*.
Hey diddle diddle Half Moon Inn then back along the top again.
Along the way we will behold a hilltop fort and ponds of old.
To continue on our South Downs walk, we march back down like the Duke of York.
Along the Ouse in seven-league shoes, then up through the castle into Lewes.
We’ll be Countryside Code compliant in case we meet the local giant.
From Lewes, trains return direct to Victoria at xx:21. It is also possible to get the xx:24 and change at Brighton.
Get a return to Lewes
Lunch: the Half Moon 01273 890 253, Plumpton. (A nice pub that involves coming down from the top then going back up the down. Alternatively, stay up there and picnic.)
Tea: several places spring to mind.
The Lewes Arms a homely pub with good beer, beside the castle walls in Mount Place. One of Mr Tigers favourites.
The White Hart once a 16th Century coaching inn, now a quaint posh place on the High Street.
Ask restaurant
The Garden Room Cafe,
Directions here
T=1.29
18 km 11.2 ml
Difficulty 5/10
Up the hill to Jack and Jill
Then tumble down to Plumpton town*.
Hey diddle diddle Half Moon Inn then back along the top again.
Along the way we will behold a hilltop fort and ponds of old.
To continue on our South Downs walk, we march back down like the Duke of York.
Along the Ouse in seven-league shoes, then up through the castle into Lewes.
We’ll be Countryside Code compliant in case we meet the local giant.
Trains:
Get the 09:25 Brighton train from Victoria (09:32 Clapham Jct, 09:42 East Croydon) arrives Hassocks 10:21,From Lewes, trains return direct to Victoria at xx:21. It is also possible to get the xx:24 and change at Brighton.
Get a return to Lewes
Lunch: the Half Moon 01273 890 253, Plumpton. (A nice pub that involves coming down from the top then going back up the down. Alternatively, stay up there and picnic.)
Tea: several places spring to mind.
The Lewes Arms a homely pub with good beer, beside the castle walls in Mount Place. One of Mr Tigers favourites.
The White Hart once a 16th Century coaching inn, now a quaint posh place on the High Street.
Ask restaurant
The Garden Room Cafe,
Directions here
T=1.29
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